Impressive Acting Marks Besa as Stand-Out Opener to Serbian Week in Great Britain
This week delivered an enjoyable event as part of the third annual Serbian Week in Great Britain. I was invited to London’s Serbian Embassy for a private screening of Besa (Eng: Solemn Promise), the country’s 2011 foreign language Oscar submission. Afterwards, it also provided an informal opportunity to discuss impressions of the film with the Serbian Ambassador to the UK.
Besa is a captivating story based on actual events set during the early days of the First World War. Artfully paced storytelling and tender performances unveil the bonds that develop between an unlikely pair, ignited by fears and prejudice in a small Serbian town.
Belgrade: A Vibrant City With a Warm Welcome
People make a city. Their energy can trigger a vibrant cultural scene or encourage a burgeoning tourist industry. Those same people can make or break your experiences when visiting for the first time. Every interaction, from ticket inspectors to people on the street leaves a lasting impression that could be recalled to others when returning home. The people of Belgrade could be this city’s greatest asset, having left their indelible mark on my first visit to Serbia.
Bosnia-set short worth a watch: The Way We Played
It is spring 1992 and Bosnia is on the eve of war. Oblivious to the encroaching danger, two friends Stevo and Ramiz play in the spring sunshine. They pretend to be pirates and look for treasure at a nearby abandoned hill fort. Instead of gold, they find guns which causes an argument between the friends, which mirrors the conflict moving ever closer to their door.
When Stevo discovers his father, a soldier in the Serb army, has instructions to kill Muslims in the village, he sneaks out to warn his friend – but is he too late?
